News Round Up 2016

[rteetz]

The person who posted the pic states,

"This is the wait time for the attraction as of 11:12AM ET. Clearly, this is much lower than it usually is at this time, and the wait is actually shorter than what is posted."
http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/05/photo...-toy-story-midway-mania-at-hollywood-studios/

No idea why the fast pass time says 10:45, but that's what the person who took the photo is saying. And as usual, the wait time isn't nearly that long.

The wait times never say 0 minutes in my experience. 15-20 min seems to be the minimum, so yea - I'd say this is pretty much walk-on at this point. Look at the other photos and you see how short the line was.

I am also seeing people say that the new track will be FP only and the two ore tracks will be standby only.

 

[skier_pete]

The irony is if they manage to reduce the standby line to <20 minutes, then won't getting a Fastpass become unnecessary?

 

[thepops]

That's interesting. I actually thought Disney was going to develop their own online streaming service with all their content, considering that right now they offer a very limited content through Netflix. They must have reached a pretty good deal.

Or maybe they took a look at how well most of their websites operate (or don't) and decided to go with something that is built and stable.

 

[rteetz]

News

First look at Frozen Live merchandise at DCA.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...chandise-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

 

[rteetz]

News

New look for the Lego store at Disney Springs

http://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/le...ook-for-the-lego-store-at-disney-springs-.htm

 

[afan]

The third track was announced to open Memorial Day weekend. It has opened a few days early.

Then this weekend or next week will be more reflective of what the new normal will be. We don't know for sure if the number of fp distributed will go up a little or a lot. A soft opening is great for those there that Don't have fp or want to ride more than once though.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The irony is if they manage to reduce the standby line to <20 minutes, then won't getting a Fastpass become unnecessary?

doesn't stop them from offering FP for Journey in Imagination

 

[Disneymom1126]

I actually wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't help wait times AT ALL. If you think about it, here's what will happen:

The one time you MIGHT notice the shorter lines is in the first 60 minutes of park opening, whereas the wait times used to build so quickly. At 10 AM you may start seeing short wait times of 20 minutes or less. By mid-day though I bet they will still be in the 60-90 minute range.

This is what I'm watching -- our current plan is to rope drop RnR and Tower of Terror and then do TSMM with a FP+ later in the day to avoid the crowded rush to TSMM at rope drop...but if rope drop crowds build more slowly, we may change that plan...

 

[eXo]

The irony is if they manage to reduce the standby line to <20 minutes, then won't getting a Fastpass become unnecessary?

Wouldn't that just make it more like several other FP+ options? I mean, technically you can get a FastPass for the Mad Tea Party..... why anyone would, I have no idea, but it's an option. I guess my point is, it just wouldn't be a major priority fast pass anymore... which would be nice.

 

[skier_pete]

Wouldn't that just make it more like several other FP+ options? I mean, technically you can get a FastPass for the Mad Tea Party..... why anyone would, I have no idea, but it's an option. I guess my point is, it just wouldn't be a major priority fast pass anymore... which would be nice.

Right - but if you didn't even need a FP+ for TSMM that would be a big deal. It is a "Tier 1" at DHS - and that would allow you to shuffle options. Our upcoming fall trip we only have an afternoon at DHS planned, so likely we will FP it no matter what, but just find it ironic if it overly succeeds at shortening the lines.

I doubt this will be the case - I still think if people discover lines are shorter, more people will get in line. It's in a park with way too few family oriented rides. If Standby waits remain short, then people will ride it 2-3 times, and lines will build again.

 

[eXo]

Right - but if you didn't even need a FP+ for TSMM that would be a big deal. It is a "Tier 1" at DHS - and that would allow you to shuffle options.

Sure, but I don't think it being in Tier 1 means much of anything. Afterall, over in Epcot Living with the Land is a friggin Tier 1 option...lol.

I'd give things a few weeks to bear out,, but it does seem that Midway mania will be much more accessible in the mornings. In my head, I see it more as Soarin' now. A good idea for a fast pass if you can't get there in the first hour, but no longer a mandatory FP.

When we went last December, even if you ran to that ride it already had a 30 minute wait. So it seemed like it was pretty much necessary to me at the time.

 

[eXo]

I am also seeing people say that the new track will be FP only and the two ore tracks will be standby only.

That would be interesting... I mean, wouldn't that totally flip the typical breakdown that we often hear about in here? Where 80%+ of ride capacity is locked down by FP+, and the leftover goes to standby? That would put 33% to FP+ and 66% to standby.... which would be a massive change.

I would have guessed they would keep 2 tracks for FP+ and one for standby.

 

[DisneyGeekyParadise]

Just got FP for both new and old soarin. Either I am the luckiest person in the world, or this is a sign I am destined to report to the disboards about both once I ride them.

 

[pepperandchips]

Funny that "no wait" is apparently 25 minutes - as if you look at the photo - it shows 10:45 AM.

As I said, I would expect shorter standby times in the morning when the park attendance is low, and not so many people are getting FP+ either. Curious to see if it stays low mid-day. I still expect 60-90 minute peak wait times. I suppose that's still shorter than 120-150 minutes.

Was curious so I just checked the app - reported 15 minute wait time at 2:30 Orlando time? I'll take it! I'm excited to see if these low wait times bear out over the memorial weekend as I will be headed down and wasn't able to snag a FP+.

 

[rteetz]

That would be interesting... I mean, wouldn't that totally flip the typical breakdown that we often hear about in here? Where 80%+ of ride capacity is locked down by FP+, and the leftover goes to standby? That would put 33% to FP+ and 66% to standby.... which would be a massive change.

I would have guessed they would keep 2 tracks for FP+ and one for standby.

It's possible that could change. It's just something I've heard.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

That would be interesting... I mean, wouldn't that totally flip the typical breakdown that we often hear about in here? Where 80%+ of ride capacity is locked down by FP+, and the leftover goes to standby? That would put 33% to FP+ and 66% to standby.... which would be a massive change.

I would have guessed they would keep 2 tracks for FP+ and one for standby.

They don't need 2 tracks for FP+ given the number of FP they issued for this week. Eventually they will issue more FP+ for the ride and it will be switched to 2 tracks for FP+ and 1 for standby.

 

[rteetz]

News

New guide maps coming to Epcot and AK

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/05/updated-epcot-and-animal-kingdom-maps.html

 

[5DisneyNuts]

I've been over on the reservations boards today since the site has been down all day and someone posted that Magic Bands are not working at WDW today for dining, FP+ or paying. Anyone hear anything?

according to someone on another respected Disney forum she is hearing that magic bands aren't working at all down there today either! Disney is telling everyone with the dining plan to pay out of pocket and submit the receipts for reimbursement. They are handing out hard tickets and everything! CRAZY! This is what happens when you tie and entire digital network together. One little glitch can bring the WHOLE system down.

Found one; from a worker at Disney apparently:

cori birtch‏@spectr0magic
magic bands are broken everywhere in disney. everyone wants to pay with magic bands. stressful day

 

[LandFan]

Glad you found something to support what someone else told me... It is being kept so quiet I was starting to doubt my source!

 

[circus4u]

Only indirectly related to Disney, but might be of interest to veterans.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/23/politics/veterans-affairs-secretary-disneyland-wait-times/index.html
VA Secretary Disneyland-wait time comparison draws ire

VA's McDonald apologizes for Disney waiting line comparison
http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/24/politics/bob-mcdonald-veterans-affairs-disney/index.html